Boulder Auto Repair

Brake pads are essential for the operation of your vehicle. One set of brake pads can wear out faster than the other, which can be inconvenient. Brake pads can be pricey, and many people only replace worn-down ones, but it is better to replace them all. Uneven wear on brake pads can be caused by various factors, which we will discuss in this blog. You can help to prevent uneven brake pad wear and extend the life of your new pads by understanding the causes. Here are some of them. Unaligned Wheels Misalignment can occur when the wheels aren't balanced properly. When braking, this causes one wheel to pull to the side, which results in uneven wear. The solution is a wheel alignment service and a fresh set of brake pads. Corroded Slide Pins The part that guides the calipers to the rotors is called a slide pin. Pins must be lubricated so they can move back and forth smoothly and precisely. A corroded guiding mechanism can lead to uneven pressure and wear on the brake ... read more

Our cars help us with many things, thanks to them, we can get to work, go shopping at the supermarket or even go to the hospital in an emergency. Therefore, before going out to drive, we must verify that they are in good condition. Before the winter season arrives, we can take measures to prevent our vehicles creating problems for us: • Having a strong battery: Over time, car batteries can get dirty and corrode. And starting the car gets more difficult in cold weather. • Changing the oil in your car: Replacing the oil on a regular schedule is necessary to keep the car in good condition. • Having to rotate the tires: Rotating the tires in place helps them last longer. • Replacing the cabin air filter: This will be beneficial for the air conditioning system and for the car's heating. • Changing the air filter of your car: It will help you to breathe better and will remove particles that are harmful to your health. • Changing the windshield wipers ... read more

The mass air flow sensor (MAF) is an integral part of the fuel injection system. This decides how much air goes into the engine to ensure a balanced fuel-to-air ratio for combustion. When this sensor goes out, it is most likely going to influence your check engine light to illuminate. Moreover, a worn or failing MAF will disrupt the air-to-fuel ratio as it will provide wrong estimations for the amount of fuel and air.  Key Signs That Indicate a Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor … When there is too much fuel and not enough air Lower MPG Black exhaust smoke Rough idling Another way to say that there is too much fuel being burned is your engine running too rich. This occurs when the MAF is worn or contaminated, causing an overestimation in the airflow. Cleaning the MAF can remedy the issue.   … When there is too much air and not enough fuel  Engine hesitation Problems starting engine Engine seizes When there is an excess a ... read more

Spark plugs are an essential part of your car's engine, and they need to be replaced regularly to keep your car running smoothly. However, they are often overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Many people don't even know how often they should be changed! But how often should you change them? The answer depends on a few factors, including the type of spark plugs you have and the kind of driving you do. If you have standard spark plugs, they should be replaced every 30,000 miles or so. If you have iridium or platinum spark plugs, you can usually go longer between replacements, up to 100,000 miles. If you use a synthetic oil, for example, you can usually go longer between changes. Likewise, if you have iridium spark plugs, you can also usually go longer between changes. If you have a newer vehicle with a more advanced engine, you may be able to go a bit longer between spark plug changes. On the other hand, if you have an older vehicle or one that's not well-maintained, you ... read more

Driving schools might not teach you everything you need to know about cars, and while driving can be an exhilarating and liberating feeling, there a few things you might be doing unconsciously that end up damaging your car. Holding the clutch in place While using the clutch to accelerate through traffic is faster, doing so can harm your car. The friction material on clutch plates constantly rubbing against one another due to a continuously depressed clutch creates excessive wear and could harm the clutch plates. Dashboard lights are ignored If you ignore dashboard signals, you can end up stranded or forced to make expensive repairs later on. Pay close attention to the check engine, battery, brake, airbag, coolant, and oil lights. When one of these lights turns on, it means that, in order to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers, something needs to be looked into. Running on fumes First off, the gasoline pump for many modern cars is located within the fuel tank. The ... read more

When you turn on the air conditioner in your car, you should naturally not smell anything. You should be welcomed with clean and cool air.  However, a pungent odor can signal something wrong with the A/C system.   Below are the top 3 common reasons why your car air conditioner may emit an unusual smell: Explanation 1: Mold & Bacteria Growth If you get a mildewy smell in your car, there’s a good likelihood that you have mold or bacteria growing in the A/C system. These microorganisms can grow when moisture is left in the evaporator. In some cases, turning on your air conditioner relieves the smell by drying up the moisture. If the problem is still there, you will need a professional to clean the drain tube in your A/C system and use an anti-bacterial cleaning agent. Explanation 2: Gas Leak If you smell gasoline every time you turn on the car’s A/C, then you probably have a gas leak. In simple terms, the gas smell is getting sucked into and mixed with the ... read more

Once or twice throughout our driving experiences, we have run out of windshield wiper fluid. Suppose this happens with no readily available refill bottle around. Will you use regular water to refill your wiper fluid and continue your journey? While it may seem logical to refill with normal water, it may not be the best thing to do. And here is how substituting plain water for windshield washer solvent carries pros and cons. Plain Water is Readily Available Regardless of where you stop, it is easier to find water than it is for windshield washer solvent. For instance, water is in plenty when filling up your gas tank at the gas station. You can also grab the garden hose pipe and refill your windshield wiper fluid tank in your driveway. Plain Water May Cause More Harm than Good in Colder Climates Although using water in place of windshield washer fluid may save you money while reducing pollution, it can be more damaging and cost you hundreds of dollars. And this is particularly the c ... read more

Gas prices have hit record highs, and it doesn’t seem to stop. Now is the time to learn of ways to stretch your gas tank a little further and reduce the number of trips to the gas station. Here are some great tips to boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Use Cruise Control - Constant changes to your speed can burn up more gas than you think. When you have the opportunity to, like on an open highway, use the cruise control to save you money. It will also lower your chances of speeding. Don’t Idle - Idling can waste a significant amount of gasoline over time. In fact, you could lose up to half of a gallon while idling. Instead, we recommend shutting off your engine and restarting when you need to. Avoid Rapid Acceleration - There’s no need for you to put all your force onto the gas pedal. If you drive smoothly and come to gradual stops, you can notice up to a 30% change in your vehicle’s MPG. Plan Your Trips Accordingly - We recommend lumping all your er ... read more

It could be frustrating if you get into your car to attend to an emergency and find out it won't start. Some questions that could cross your mind would be if the battery or alternator is the cause of the ignition problem. What's the work of a Battery and Alternator? The battery is responsible for supplying power to your car's starter and whole electrical system. Although a battery can last for about four years, it won't hold its charge for that long. And that's where an alternator comes in. It recharges the battery while you're driving your car. The two main causes of starting problems are a faulty car battery or alternator. This article will help you gain skills in knowing what exactly the problem is. Indicators It's a Battery Issue Over time, the metal parts in your battery can wear and tear, reducing its ability to hold a charge for long. Some signs your battery is the source of starting problems include Dim dashboard lights and headlights Delayed ... read more

There is no good news in having a head gasket blow out. You should get your head gasket checked ASAP if you suspect it is leaking. Your head gasket might be leaking if you can smell a sweet white cloud. What causes a head gasket to fail? This problem occurs more often on motors with iron cylinder blocks and aluminum heads, where the head gasket cannot seal the newly expanded gap. There are also motors with poor bolt clamping forces or bodies that warp easily, which have a reputation for failure. Failure of a head gasket can lead to all kinds of problems, including: Power loss The loss of compressed air/fuel from a cylinder due to a failed head gasket can result in decreased compression, rough running, and diminished power. An exhaust leak-like sound is typical of this kind of failure. Oil contamination Due to a failed head gasket, the underside of the oil filler cap or the dipstick can accumulate with a milky sludge, sometimes called a milkshake. By contaminating the oil with coo ... read more